LOZITHA:King Mswati has launched the R5.2billion Strategic Oil Reserve project despite resistance from some Members of Parliament(MPs) and, the tender was awarded to a Taiwan company.
Mswati rules eSwatini as an absolute Monarch and, Parliament does not have powers to overrule or challenge his orders.
Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Wednesday evening, Wandile Dludlu, the Deputy President of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) said, the relationship between Taiwan and the Monarchy has become generally corrupt.
”Taiwan is now grabbing almost all tenders even if their bidding is high, they will get the tender. The relationship between the Monarchy and Taiwan has become generally corrupt,” said the PUDEMO Deputy President.
On another note, visiting Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung was present during the official launch of the Oil Reserve project at Lozitha Palace on Wednesday.
The launch comes after MPs assembled for a workshop in Pigg’s Peak Hotel and expressed concerns regarding the manner in which Taiwan secured the tender, the Legislators had vowed to stop the project in Parliament.
But now that “the King has launched the Strategic Oil Reserve project, all MPs are expected to support it”, Parliamentarians who oppose the King are arrested in eSwatini.
King Mswati with Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung during the official launch of the Oil Reserve project at Lozitha Palace on Wednesday(pic: EPN).